Senior Drone Lab Technician

XTEND; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

XTEND in Tampa is seeking a Senior Lab Technician to help build, configure, test, and maintain drone systems and related infrastructure. You will support engineering teams during development cycles, lead daily lab operations, and ensure test data is reliable and hardware performs as intended before field use.

You will work at the nexus of hardware, software, and operations, collaborating with engineers and production teams to diagnose failures, execute test plans, and improve system reliability

Qualifications

• 3+ years hands-on experience building drones or remote-controlled systems.
• Strong background in electronics, wiring, soldering, and mechanical assembly.
• Experience in lab work, testing, diagnostics, and QC processes.
• Familiarity with RF and communication components.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with engineering and production teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor technicians in drone system assembly and maintenance.
• Support prototypes, system integration, and testing.
• Perform lab testing, diagnostics, debugging, and troubleshooting.
• Execute QC procedures to meet internal and customer standards.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient lab environment.
• Document processes, test results, and technical findings.
• Interface with engineers to resolve design or production issues.

Skills

Drone systems

Electronics & wiring

RF components

Independent + teamwork

Leadership

Tools

Priority ERP

Monday.com

RF testing equipment

Job description

XTEND is building the next-generation robotics and autonomy platform that delivers real-time telemetry, command-and-control, and advanced data analytics for mission-critical operations. Our end users include military operators, law enforcement units, and public safety teams who rely on robotic systems in high-risk, high-impact environments where milliseconds matter and failure is not an option.

As a Senior Lab Technician, you will be a key enabler of XTEND’s engineering and operations teams, responsible for building, configuring, testing, and maintaining robotic systems and supporting infrastructure. You will support engineering teams during development cycles, help lead daily lab operations, and ensure systems are mission-ready, test data is reliable, and hardware performs exactly as intended before it ever reaches an operator in the field.

This role sits at the nexus of hardware, software, and operations. You will work closely with engineers, flight operations, and program teams to execute test plans, diagnose failures, and continuously improve system reliability. Your work will translate directly into safer, more effective deployments for end users operating in real-world, high-consequence scenarios.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of technicians in the assembly, integration, and maintenance of drone systems and related platforms
• Support engineering teams with prototype development, system integration, and testing
• Perform laboratory testing, diagnostics, debugging, and troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, RF, and software-related issues
• Execute quality control (QC) procedures to ensure systems meet internal and customer standards
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient lab environment
• Document processes, test results, and technical findings as required
• Interface with engineers to resolve design, integration, or production issues

Requirements

• Minimum 3+ years of hands‑on experience building drones or other remote-controlled systems
• Strong technical background in electronic components and wiring, soldering and rework, mechanical assembly and repair
• Experience performing lab work, system testing, diagnostics, and quality control
• Familiarity with RF (radio frequency) and communication components
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with engineering and production teams

Bonus / Preferred Qualifications

• Basic knowledge and operation of Linux-based systems
• Experience with Priority ERP
• Experience using Monday.com or similar project/task management tools
• Experience working with composite materials
• Prior experience supporting R&D, prototypes, or military UAS programs
• Team leadership or lab ownership experience

Located in the Tampa area – on site,